🧑🍳 Stuff to Know Before You Start
Green Noodles: You can substitute the green noodles with spinach pasta, spiralized zucchini noodles, or even regular spaghetti if you can’t find green varieties.
Mushroom Choice: Shiitake are ideal for their deep, savory flavor. If the dried ones are too pungent, go for fresh shiitake or even cremini mushrooms.
Sauce Control: The hot bean sauce provides a kick. Adjust the heat by using more or less, or add a spoonful of sugar if you prefer extra sweetness.
DIY Tofu: If you have homemade tofu, that’s fantastic—fresh tofu absorbs sauce flavors incredibly well, making for a super-satisfying dish.
🥄 Ingredients
- For the Green Noodles:
- Green noodles (or any noodles/pasta of your choice)
- 1 tbsp oil (to prevent sticking)
- For the Sweet & Spicy Tofu:
- 400–500g tofu (silken or medium-firm)
- 4–5 shiitake mushrooms, chopped (fresh or dried)
- 1 fresh sweet corn (kernels cut off the cob)
- 2 tbsp corn starch (mixed in water to form a slurry)
- 1 cup water (approximately, plus more if needed)
- 1–2 tbsp oil (for sautéing)
- 1–2 tbsp vegetarian stir fry sauce (or soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp hot bean sauce (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
📝 Step by Step
Boil & Oil
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add your green noodles and cook until tender (following package instructions). Drain the noodles in a sieve and quickly stir in about 1 tbsp oil to keep them from sticking.
Cut & Soak
Cut the tofu into small pieces (about 1.5 x 2–3 cm). Set aside.
Chop the shiitake into small pieces. If using dried shiitake, soak them in water first until softened, then chop.
Remove the corn kernels from the cob and set them aside.
Sauté & Combine
Heat 1–2 tbsp oil in a frying pan. Add a dash of salt to reduce oil splatter. Sauté the chopped shiitake until they release their aroma. Stir in the fresh sweet corn kernels.
Simmer & Season
Gently place the tofu pieces into the pan. Pour in the corn starch slurry (2 tbsp corn starch mixed with water) and about 1 cup water. Simmer until the corn is cooked and the sauce begins to thicken. If it gets too thick, add a little more water.
Finish & Serve
Add the vegetarian stir fry sauce (or soy sauce) and hot bean sauce for sweetness and heat. Stir everything thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or more sauce if needed.
Pour or spoon this sweet and spicy tofu mixture over your green noodles. Top with fresh wild arugula or any salad greens you like.
🍽️ How to Serve This Green Noodles & Tofu Dish
- Light Lunch: Serve with a simple side salad of chopped cucumbers and tomatoes.
- Dinner Upgrade: Accompany with spring rolls or potstickers for a satisfying Asian-inspired meal.
- Meal Prep: Make a large batch of the tofu sauce and store it separately. Reheat and pour over fresh noodles or rice when you’re ready.
🧠 The Science Behind Success
Noodle Texture: Coating noodles with a small amount of oil right after draining prevents clumping and keeps them springy.
Corn Sweetness: Fresh sweet corn naturally enhances the “sweet” in “sweet and spicy.” Adjust the bean sauce to find your perfect level of heat.
📖 A Simple Take on Mapo Tofu
Traditional Mapo tofu is known for its tongue-tingling spiciness (thank you, Sichuan peppercorns!). In this recipe, we dial back the heat slightly and add sweetcorn for a gentler twist on the classic. It still packs enough punch to call itself “spicy,” but the blend of flavors is friendlier to those who like a mild touch of sweetness.
Green noodles bring fun color and an extra bit of nutrition to your plate—though any pasta can work. Fresh, homemade tofu sets this recipe apart; if you’ve never tried making tofu yourself, it’s a game-changer in both taste and texture.
❓ Reader Questions Answered
Yes. Silken tofu delivers a smoother texture, but firm tofu holds its shape better. If using firm tofu, consider a quick marinade in soy sauce and sesame oil for added flavor before cooking.
You can swap it out for chili garlic sauce or sambal oelek. Adjust sweetness with a bit of sugar or agave if necessary.
If your noodles are made from rice or gluten-free flour, and your sauces (like hot bean sauce and stir fry sauce) are gluten-free certified, you’re good to go. Always check labels!
Absolutely. Bell peppers, bok choy, or even carrots can be added during sautéing to give more color and variety.